132 research outputs found
Do you think you're sexy?
Nick Royle and Tom Pike discuss whether animals know how attractive they are. They gathered a group of females that showed clear, unambiguous preferences for males wearing red leg rings. They then showed male birds to them under four sets of experimental conditions. First, they gave the males a red leg ring, and showed them to females on the other side of a transparent partition. When the males and females could see each other, they gave each other more attention when males were wearing their attractive red leg ring-the female gave positive feedback and the male responded by courting her more. When the males wore green leg rings they got less positive feedback and spent less time courting. But when the females did not respond to the males because they could not see the amount of time the males spend courting was not related to which ring he was wearing
Ranging behaviour of commercial free-range laying hens
Simple Summary: Commercial free-range production has become a significant sector of the fresh
egg market due to legislation banning conventional cages and consumer preference for products
perceived as welfare friendly, as access to outdoor range can lead to welfare benefits such as greater
freedom of movement and enhanced behavioural opportunities. This study investigated dispersal
patterns, feather condition and activity of laying hens in three distinct zones of the range area; the
apron area near shed; enriched zone 10–50 m from shed; and outer range beyond 50 m, in six flocks
of laying hens under commercial free-range conditions varying in size between 4000 and
24,000 hens. Each flock was visited for four days to record number of hens in each zone, their
behaviour, feather condition and nearest neighbour distances (NND), as well as record temperature
and relative humidity during the visit. Temperature and relative humidity varied across the study
period in line with seasonal variations and influenced the use of range with fewer hens out of shed
as temperature fell or relative humidity rose. On average, 12.5% of the hens were observed on the
range and most of these hens were recorded in the apron zone as hen density decreased rapidly
with increasing distance from the shed. Larger flocks appeared to have a lower proportion of hens
on range. The hens used the range more in the early morning followed by a progressive decrease
through to early afternoon. The NND was greatest in the outer range and decreased towards the
shed. Feather condition was generally good and hens observed in the outer range had the best
overall feather condition. Standing, pecking, walking and foraging were the most commonly
recorded behaviours and of these, standing occurred most in the apron whereas walking and
foraging behaviours were recorded most in the outer range. This study supported the findings of
previous studies that reported few hens in the range and greater use of areas closer to the shed in
free-range flocks. This study suggests that hens in the outer range engaged more in walking and
foraging activities and showed signs of better welfare than those closer to the shed.
Abstract: In this study, the range use and behaviour of laying hens in commercial free-range flocks
was explored. Six flocks were each visited on four separate days and data collected from their
outdoor area (divided into zones based on distance from shed and available resources). These were:
apron (0–10 m from shed normally without cover or other enrichments); enriched belt (10–50 m
from shed where resources such as manmade cover, saplings and dust baths were provided); and
outer range (beyond 50 m from shed with no cover and mainly grass pasture). Data collection
consisted of counting the number of hens in each zone and recording behaviour, feather condition
and nearest neighbour distance (NND) of 20 birds per zone on each visit day. In addition, we used
techniques derived from ecological surveys to establish four transects perpendicular to the shed,
running through the apron, enriched belt and outer range. Number of hens in each 10 m × 10 m
quadrat was recorded four times per day as was the temperature and relative humidity of the outer
range. On average, 12.5% of hens were found outside. Of these, 5.4% were found in the apron; 4.3%
in the enriched zone; and 2.8% were in the outer range. This pattern was supported by data from
quadrats, where the density of hens sharply dropped with increasing distance from shed.
Animals 2016, 6, x 2 of 13
Consequently, NND was greatest in the outer range, least in the apron and intermediate in the
enriched belt. Hens sampled in outer range and enriched belts had better feather condition than
those from the apron. Standing, ground pecking, walking and foraging were the most commonly
recorded activities with standing and pecking most likely to occur in the apron, and walking and
foraging more common in the outer range. Use of the outer range declined with lower temperatures
and increasing relative humidity, though use of apron and enriched belt was not affected by
variation in these measures. These data support previous findings that outer range areas tend to be
under-utilized in commercial free-range flocks and suggest positive relationships between range
use, feather condition and increased behavioural opportunities and decline in the use of range in
cold and/or damp conditions
Changes in group behaviour in response to a preferred environment reflect positive affect
When observed in their preferred environments, animals display behavioural changes, such as an increase in resting or a reduction in agonism, suggestive of positive affect and improved welfare. However, most studies focus on the behaviour of individuals or, at most, pairs of animals; even though in group-living animals beneficial environmental changes may impact on how the group behaves as a whole. In this study, we investigated whether experiencing a preferred visual environment affected the shoaling behaviour of zebrafish (Danio rerio) groups. We first confirmed a group preference for an image of gravel placed underneath the base of a tank compared to a plain white image. Second, we observed replicated groups either with or without the preferred (gravel) image present to determine if a visually enriched and preferred environment could elicit changes in shoaling behaviour. We found a significant interaction between the observation time and test condition, with differences in shoaling behaviour reflective of increased relaxation emerging gradually over time in the gravel condition. The findings of this study reveal that experiencing a preferred environment can alter group behaviour, making such holistic changes valuable as potential indicators of positive welfare
The Problem with Big Data: Operating on Smaller Datasets to Bridge the Implementation Gap
Big datasets have the potential to revolutionize public health. However, there is a mismatch between the political and scientific optimism surrounding big data and the public’s perception of its benefit. We suggest a systematic and concerted emphasis on developing models derived from smaller datasets to illustrate to the public how big data can produce tangible benefits in the long term. In order to highlight the immediate value of a small data approach, we produced a proof-of-concept model predicting hospital length of stay. The results demonstrate that existing small datasets can be used to create models that generate a reasonable prediction, facilitating health-care delivery. We propose that greater attention (and funding) needs to be directed toward the utilization of existing information resources in parallel with current efforts to create and exploit “big data.
Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis as a Presentation of COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). We describe the case of a 59-year-old man who presented with headache, hypertension and a single episode of fever with no other symptoms. He subsequently developed unilateral weakness. Computer tomography identified a cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). A subsequent test for COVID-19 was positive. This is the first report of CVST as a presenting symptom of COVID-19 infection
Designing the Mission Operations for the Pointable Radiometer for Observation of Volcanic Emissions (PROVE) Pathfinder Payload
The PROVE Pathfinder CubeSat payload is a 2U Visual and TIR imaging payload optimized for observation of volcanic ash clouds for 3D reconstruction. Three of the main challenges for the mission operations of payload are optimization of the observation geometry (num. images, angles, etc.), data management of a high data rate payload, and observation scheduling for sporadic eruptions. Example solutions to these problems are presented belo
Understanding the Effects of Gamification and Juiciness on Players
Gamification is widely applied to increase user engagement and motivation, but empirical studies on effectivenessare inconclusive, and often limited to the integration of tangible elements such as leaderboards or badges. In this paper, we report findings from a study with 36 participants that uses the lens of Self-Determination Theory to compare traditional gamification elements, and the concept of juiciness (the provision of abundant audiovisual feedback) in the VR simulation Predator!. Results show that gamification and juiciness improve user experience, but that only juiciness fulfills all basic psychological needs that facilitate intrinsic motivation when applied in nongaming settings. User preferences favour the combination of both approaches, however, neither improved performance, and there is
evidence of juicy elements influencing user behaviour. We discuss implications of these findings for the integration of gamification, reflect on the role of both approaches in the context of feedback, and outline challenges and opportunities for further research. Index Term
Perspectives on the INternational CLassification of Diseases, 11th Revision (ICD-11); an international qualitative study to Understand and improve mental health Diagnosis using expertise by Experience: INCLUDE Study
Developed in collaboration with the WHO Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, this study conducted in the UK, India, and the US, integrated feedback from mental health service users into the development of the chapter on mental, behavioural, and neurodevelopmental disorders for the Eleventh Revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-11). The ICD-11 is set for approval by the World Health Assembly in May, 2019. As a reporting standard and diagnostic classification system it will be highly influential on the policy, clinical practice, and research that affect mental health service users; yet this is the first study to systematically seek and collate service user perspectives on a major classification and diagnostic guideline. Focus groups were used to collect feedback on five diagnoses: depressive episode, generalised anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, bipolar type 1 disorder, and personality disorder. Participants were given the official draft diagnostic guidelines and a parallel lay translation. Data were thematically analysed. This formed the basis of co-produced recommendations for the WHO, which included features that could be added or revised to better reflect lived experience and changes to language that was confusing or objectionable to service users. The findings also indicated that an accessible lay language version of the ICD-11 could be beneficial for service users and their supporters
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